Jan News

Happy New Year everyone. It looks like summer has only just caught up with us, I think everyone has been a little miserable for the past month. Except those trying to grow grass.

PW5 Upgrade

We now have a new glider! GWW has joined the fleet, and GSN has been sold. The new PW5 has a covered trailer, and is in great condition with an excellent new paint finish. It's over at Raglan at the moment, and is ready to fly.

Keith is excited about GWW

Trip to Raglan

We've been over in Raglan for a couple of weeks. It was an interesting trip over. Will, one of our new students went for a ride in the twin and we ended up looking straight down the Hamilton main runway. We are there until this weekend, and looks like the weather has finally turned into summer.

So this is what the big boys see

Drury Competition

I've been flying in the Drury competition which was slightly rained out compared to last year. We had 4 competition days in total, in some very interesting weather. Each day involed a number of landouts, and landbacks. I ended up with 4 outlandings: Te Poi (near the pub conveniently), Matamata, Twin Silos, and finally at Mercer airstrip. There was a number of showers and rain bands to avoid on some days, and that's what put us on the ground at the airstrips.

There is now a new gliding operation at Mercer, with Mark Ford's winch in action. It's primarily used for training with Pukatek gliders and others. They even have a hangar, bar, accomdation and the skydiving will be starting up again soon too.

The JS1 has landed

Brett Hunter's new toy has arrived, and been taken for a couple of test flights around the Waikato. As Brett is the New Zealand agent for the JS1, he'll be happy to sell it to you if you are feeling the need for that new resin smell. It looks pretty slick, congratulations Brett, we look forward to seeing it in the air.

Smile Brett

It even came with a trailer

Very similar to our new PW5 really ;)

Upcoming National competition

The nationals are in 2 weeks starting on Sat 28th, and runs for one and a half weeks. I've been selected to represent New Zealand (don't get to say that very often) in the Tasman Trophy. Bryan Hayhow is the Australian pilot coming over to fly. If anyone is interested in helping crew, even just for a day or so, let me know.

Finally

The Walsh Flying School is on in Matamata at the moment, until the 24th Jan. We get back from Raglan this coming weekend, so there may be a day or so of flying while the Walsh is on. Be aware all operations are under Airways control while the tower is there. That means even driving gliders down the runway requires permission. Permission from the tower is needed for takeoffs and landings.